Trip to the seaside

I decided to give my running legs a workout not having done anything of length since I’d been on holiday, get them used to it again. The route of choice was the easterly section of the Southern Upland Way. I’ve slowly been doing the route in chunks getting to know it and at the same time collecting the hidden treasure from the hoard.

One of the hoard.
A wooden sculpture,
but some aren't a
so obvious.

Weather was good; dry, slightly overcast, but very close and as a result it felt like I spent the whole day sweating out as much as I was putting in. The trial jacket I had with me, again never got a look in. Like most of the time I’ve been on the way I come across very few people. The only other people I saw the whole day were a father and son who were perhaps just embarking on the route north to south and a few fishermen at Watch reservoir.

The Treasure

The route at the moment is iron hard and as such I wished I’d worn road shoes with a bit more cushioning, as the hard surface seems to have a debilitating effect on my legs. For the majority of the time the path follows defined tracks paths, but there was a fair chunk of tarmac which I hadn’t particularly anticipated. But it’s difficult to know this just from looking at the map.

Just in case you weren't taking it all in

Looking back this section carries that feeling of remoteness (despite its relative proximity to Edinburgh) as you travel through the Lammermuirs an area that other than a few scattered farms and cottages has very little in the way of major roads or developments. It made me think that for walkers this must be quite tricky as you would have to be self sufficient for a couple of days to cover the ground & there isn’t much in way of accommodation without diverting away.

What you would see from the above

Twin Law cairns

What shouldn’t be possible is to loose the path unless of course you switch off and have a senior moment like me. Which I managed to do in fine style adding at least another 4.5m to my tally and severely denting my moral at the time. But at least it reminds me to pay attention in future and listen to my instincts.

  

At last the sea after 30+ miles!!!

Cove Harbour

A good day out, though the legs got a bit tight towards the end, but that was to be expected after nearly 40 miles. My only disappointment being I didn’t find the most easterly hoard, so that will involve another trip back to root it out.

And here's the random odd thing I saw on this trip in the middle of knowwhere up some track?

Tinto Loop





Took advantage of the near perfect conditions today and headed off for a loop round Tinto hill on the road bike. I don’t think I’ve been on some of these lanes since we were house hunting in the area and looking for potential locations so it was quite refreshing to reacquaint myself with them. Coming up from Douglas water I saw signs for Tinto Moto X, riding up the hill a little bemused. I was more than surprised to find the “ski resortesque” Moto X park has been developed on the west end. Out of site out of mind I think…

Altispeed – Val D’Isere

Profile of the course: -

Milling about before the gun

The original race I was supposed to do was the Ice Trial but owing to the bad forecast predicting rain, snow up high & strong winds the organisers took the decision to cancel this race and offer us the chance to do the shorter version which was 32km with 2500m ascent. It was disappointing but fair play to them. I later heard some locals went home rather than do the short version.



I'm in blue, first and last time I'll be at front



With the new race came a more respectable start time, so after a bit of breakfast and last minute gear phaff we rolled out at 8:30. I managed to get to the front on the start line as I figured I might as well try and make the most of the photo opportunity. The first few Km’s were on a track and this allowed me to settle down and get used to running again having not done anything for over a week. I tagged onto a Lafuma sponsored runner and used her to pace me out. The route then went seriously up for the few km and I decided I needed to push on at my own pace so started to pick my way past the runners in front not always easy on the single track and the effort to get round can be more than its worth.



Looking back to Val D'Isere from CP1



Before I knew it we’d hit the first check point at plan des gouilles (7Km) and understood how some on the start line were only minimally equipped, me carrying all my mandatory kit from the other race rather than risk being disqualified.



Looking down from CP2 Col des Fond des Four  CP1.



After here it was steeper climbing up to the col des fond des four. I took a few photos as I went along to the amazement of the other runners and marshals. As the weather was much better than predicted cool, dry with low cloud. On reaching the col we had a nice long descending traverse to meet the GR55 at Pont dela Niege (13Km) where Lisa & I had walked up from Bonneval D’Arc a couple of days previous. Arriving at the CP coincided with a change in the weather. The route from here was flagged and was supposed to follow the trail; however everyone was hoofing it up the road. So I followed suit, not really in keeping with the idea of the race but maybe I hadn’t got some info from the briefing. By the time we reached the ski station and the climb to the glacier pisaillas I’d donned my waterproof as it was raining and getting windier, with my hands already starting to get cold.



Looking at Col Pers (the dip in the skyline) from above Pont dela Niege



I’d hope my hands would come round but they never did and the weather only got worse so after contouring to the Col Pers before the climb to the Aguille De Pers I stopped and donned all my spare kit in a hope of getting warm and getting some blood circulating again. The climb up wasn’t so bad if it hadn’t been for the fact that I had no feeling in my hands (I’d already put my poles away as my hands were useless). I knew once I got to the top I’d be able to run down which would help warm me. It just seemed to take an age before the CP arrived and I could. The run down from the top to the Col D’Iseran was good more fell running than trail and I caught up the people that had been near me when I stopped to get dressed.

15mins later rain, wind & clag. Nice!!!

By the time I arrived at the Col D’Iseran (23Km) I had some life back in my fingers and the weather to my back. A short stop for food & water and I was off traversing up to the hidden tunnel. I’d been trying to figure how the route got to the other side and at the briefing they showed an access tunnel hidden in the cliffs. The climb up was loose and made worse as the rain loosened the binding of the soil around the rocks making it more like climbing an escalator.



Through the tunnel



But before long I was there and heading through to pop out into what seemed another world. The weather better on this side as the mountain ridge shielded the ski bowl.



And out into another world



A couple of photos and a txt to Lisa to tell her I was on my descent and off I went deciding to push on a bit and see if I could catch a few of the runners I could see below me. By the top of the final drop to the finish I decide to stop and take of some clothes so I could enjoy the last bit without overheating. A nice descent using the mountain bike trail, glad of my studded grips as the path got a little “gloopy” and trying to make sure I didn’t do myself a mischief with another weeks trekking still ahead.

So I came in with a finish (32Km) time of 4:51hrs and 36^th position quite happy with my run given the weather, getting cold and not having run for a bit. Definitely a course to suit UK style fell running and just a shame I’d not had chance to do the long course with its added interest of the glacier / snow running. So maybe I’ll have to come back with a view to racing the long one and a couple of the other events that are on weekends either side of this as the Haute Savoir seems to offer some great potential for quality outings.

Here’s the link to the website & more photos from this years race.

http://www.icetrailtarentaise.fr/

Road trip

So the Riever is out for the next two weeks. Off for some cultural exchange in France. Basic plan is trekking the Tour De Vanois. As luck, coincidence, plan there is a race on the middle weekend. So I rustled together a last minute entry and will be flying the flag and ambasssador for the Republic of Yorkshire. Will download all when back in the shire.

Au revoir.

Stobo ride

Enjoyed a nice summers evenings ride with Andy. Heading out from home along the

John Buchan Way and over into the glens at the back of Stobo estate. Only ever 6 miles from home but like Andy said “you could have been somewhere in the highlands”. Both Harrow & Hopehead have good tracks which make for inter connecting network of short climbs and fast descents. A couple of hours were enough for both of us Andy not having been out much lately & me still recovery from last weekends efforts.

Warm work heading up Harrow valley

Looking towards Coulter fell

Retired In Style

RIP

So my Highlanders have finally come to the end of there active life. It's now time to retire them as the support and grips are pretty shot. Unfortunatly like a lot of things they've stopped making this model. So I'm going to have to find a new big grip shoe for the Autumn. Let's hope the next pair give me as good a service.

Ramsey Round

Ramsey Round 1^st / 2^nd July 2011

So I’ve quietly had this in the back of my mind this year. Hoping for some good weather for an attempt before my holidays, unfortunately the good weather weekend’s coincided with other plans and as I was going solo wanted to give myself every chance and enjoy the route to the full. Patience it seems paid off and last weekend in glorious weather I completed the round in 23:12 minutes solo and self sufficient save for small food drop at Loch Trieg.

Details of the actual round can be found on the respective web site.

http://www.ramsaysround.com





All set for the next 24hrs.
At the start in Glen Nevis

 But here’s a summary of my personal recollections.



The Start – Weather is improving all the time, with the sun breaking through & blue skies forming. I chew the fat with a guy on the bridge to kill the last few minutes. I just want to get going now.

Ben Nevis – A good climb, I’m dripping with sweat. It’s my first time ever on the summit when it’s clear, hoorah! But its typical I’m not able to wander round and take it all in as I had to kick on. T-shirt wet through but it has some cooling effect.





Carn Mor Dearg – passed some guided people with ropes & helmets, they must wonder at the trainer clad person speeding by & feel a little over dressed.

Views back to the Ben's North face

Aonach Mor – I refill my water having already drunk 1.5L. The path up from the col is now getting distinct and clear evidence of more people using this route in only the last few years. It pops you out at the summit, little would you realise all the ski paraphernalia is just over the rise.

Aonach Beag – I opted to use a new route down via the prow “steep” but pathed. I figured if it looked OK I take it. With hind sight I think the gully would have been faster in the end but its all part of the exploring.

Grey Corries – Very rough under foot with all the stone, trying to look after my feet and pleased to have some protection from my Highlanders. Managed to lose my right contact lens on Stob Ban whilst rubbing my eye, luckily no wind and managed to put a new one in (thankfully I’d take back up lenses & specs not something I always do). The time I’d gained went out the window.



On the grey corries and one
of my few encounters with people

Stob Coire Essian – A good route up and I get back up on schedule.

Stob A Coire Mhead -The descent seems to go on for ever to the dam, but fuelled by thoughts of the goodies stashed it keeps my pace up.

Loch Trieg – I use my 5 minutes gained and take my time to load up with lots of food for the next 16hrs and stuff my face with rice pudding & pop. Felt alright & in good spirits.



Re-supplying

Stob Sgriodain & Chno Dearg – My line is OK, but I wonder if there is a better one. The temperature is starting to cool a bit & I disturb several big herds of deer. Guess they thought everyone had gone home.

The quiet of evening light

Beinn Na Lap – A section I’ve never done this way, so went with my instincts and got a nice line gaining a good chunk at the summit. Looking east I see the cars coming across Rannoch moor & the lights of the Youth Hostel below. I wonder what there up to while I’m still playing out. I nearly get to the track without head torch at 11:45pm!

Let's see if the carrots work!

To Loch Eilde Mor – A tale of two halves. Good initial progress along track to the lodge using my red night light, a camper taking in the air must have thought it was SAS on night op’s given they’ve bought the old lodge for a secluded training base. Somewhere along the second half I lost nearly 30 minutes. Not sure whether I switched off or got a poor route choice.

Sgurr Eilde Mor – Another way up I’d not done. Not knowing the line I aimed direct for the silhouette of the summit. It was steep & thick bracken and not particularly enjoyable. Found a stag’s head complete with 5 or 6 points. So might have to go back see if I can find it to mount on the garage. Don’t think too many dafties will be going up the hill the same way as me so should be safe

Binnean Beag – I have a low point going across to this hill, should be pushing on but have drifted into “sod it” mode. It’s already very light, though no sunrise yet. A great little scree run off the summit gets me back enjoying things again.

Binnean Mor – Psychologically a milestone as I’m now onto the main ridge and a good path network over these tops.

Na Gruagachan – Comes & goes. I’ve heard of people traversing the second top and there looks to be a deer trod / path that way. But I leave it for my next visit.


just after sunrise on the Mamores



An Gearanach – I don’t miss the turn off this time. Nice scrambling on the ridge.and as its an out and back I get a chance to leave my pack (one of only two times its not been on my back the whole way).

Stob Coire A Chairn – Breakfast is the banana I’ve been saving all this time. It helps to stop the stomach rumblings. Though I’m nearly sick when I try drinking my electrolyte after. I think back to my Highland Fling experience and wonder if there is a specific chemical reaction going on between these foods. And resolve to investigate later.

 Am Bodach – I’m now on liquid rations as I haven’t been able to fill up (a mistake I hope not to pay for) things aren’t helped by the sleep demons making my eyelids feel like lead weights.

Sgoran Lubhair – Now working on autopilot, a couple of times my eyelids refuse to lift again when I blink without conscious effort on my part. Causing me to stumble. At the summit I take a couple of minutes out to try come round.



Another hot day in store



Sgurr A Mhaim – More scrambling to this summit, helps to focus concentration and wake me up. Buoyed by the fact I’ll be getting water & Com-Plan shortly I take a steep gully down and traverse to the next saddle. The strawberry drink is nectar and I feel more awake too having washed my face.

Stob Ban – My last significant climb, so I push on thinking about gaining a few minutes from here on in to make it a stress free and relaxing run in. Given I don’t know exactly how long the forest section will take me. From the summit I spy my last top across a plateau ridge.

Mullach Nan Coirean - I run nearly all this section and keep going straight down the ridge. It’s only on this descent do I start to feel my leg muscles groaning at the pounding. But its downhill and I’m making the most of it. The left over of felling operations has made the last bit a mess as I pick my way to the track. Now where?

Glen Nevis – For the first time I have to get the map out to figure where I’m supposed to go. There is a continuation path but I can’t see it, so I make my own longer way to the track I need. All that was left was a trot for a couple of miles, me mentally ticking off the landmarks on the glen’s sides to gauge where I was to the end and in no time I spotted my path off and down to the road for the last 500m to the finish.

The End



So all in all a good day out in the true sense of the word.

Matt